Mount Nemrut, Ancient mountain sanctuary in Adıyaman Province, Turkey
Mount Nemrut is a summit in Adıyaman Province, Turkey, where the remains of an ancient monumental tomb temple stand. Giant stone heads and statues lie scattered around an artificial mound of rock fragments that rises roughly 50 meters high.
King Antiochus I of Commagene built this sanctuary in 62 BCE on the mountain summit to assert his lineage from Persian and Greek rulers. The kingdom of Commagene controlled trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean at that time and disappeared in the first century CE.
The colossal heads show a mix of Persian and Greek deities, with each figure carrying both traditions in its name and appearance. This double identity reflects the political alliances of the kingdom and is visible in the stonework itself.
Access is possible from May through October when snow and ice do not block the road. A steep footpath of roughly 600 meters leads from the parking area to the summit, which is most rewarding at sunrise or sunset.
A stone relief shows a lion with the planets Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars along with moon and stars in specific positions. Some researchers interpret this arrangement as an astronomical dating of the sanctuary dedication, others as a royal horoscope.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
